C-H Arylation of Benzene with Aryl Halides using H2 and a Water-Soluble Rh-Based Electron Storage Catalyst

This paper reports the first example of C-H arylation of benzene under mild conditions, using H-2 as an electron source {turnover numbers (TONs)=0.7-2.0 for 24 h}. The reaction depends on a Rh-based electron storage catalyst, and proceeds at room temperature and in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the H-2 is inactive during the radical transfer step, greatly reducing unwanted side reactions.

Automated summary

This study presents the first example of C-H arylation of benzene under mild conditions using H-2 as an electron source {with turnover numbers (TONs) of 0.7-2.0 for 24 hours}. The reaction relies on a Rh-based electron storage catalyst, operates at room temperature and in aqueous solution, and effectively suppresses unwanted side reactions by rendering H-2 inactive during the radical transfer step.